Current antiaging strategies focusing on druggable targets have met with relatively limited success to date. Replacement of cells, tissues, and organs could provide an alternative means for targeting age-induced damage and potentially eliminating some of it. However, before this is a viable option, numerous challenges need to be addressed. Most notably, whether the brain, which defines our self-identity, is amenable to replacement therapies is unclear. Here, we consider whether progressive cell replacement is a potential approach to reverse brain aging without grossly altering function. We focus mainly on the neocortex, seat of our highest cognitive functions, because of abundant knowledge on neocortical development, plasticity, and how the neocortex can functionally incorporate new neurons. We outline the primary challenges for brain cell replacement, and key areas that require further investigation.

中文翻译：

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细胞替代逆转大脑衰老：挑战、陷阱和机遇

目前专注于药物靶点的抗衰老策略迄今为止取得的成功相对有限。细胞、组织和器官的更换可以提供另一种方法来针对年龄引起的损伤并可能消除其中的一些损伤。然而，在这是一个可行的选择之前，需要解决许多挑战。最值得注意的是，定义我们自我身份的大脑是否适合替代疗法尚不清楚。在这里，我们考虑渐进式细胞置换是否是一种在不显着改变功能的情况下逆转大脑衰老的潜在方法。我们主要关注新皮层，这是我们最高认知功能的所在地，因为在新皮层发育、可塑性以及新皮层如何在功能上整合新神经元方面拥有丰富的知识。